Mechanism for packaging christmas trees



Oct. 11, 1955 M. w. MoRms MECHANISM FOR PACKAGING CHRISTMAS TREES 4Sheets--Sheetl l Filed Sept. 2, 1948 \1 l mm m mm .vm www@ lei@ lfm.

Oct. 11, 1955 M. w. MORRIS 2,720,055

MECHANISM FOR PACKAGING CHRISTMAS TREES Filed Sept. 2, 1948 4Sheets-Sheet 2 1N V EN TOR..

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ATTORNEYS Oct. 11, 1955 M. w. MORRIS 2,720,055

MECHAN'ISM FOR PACKAGING CHRISTMAS TREES Filed Sept. 2, 1948 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

, 3'AV/70 h/afd Narr/ TTO/VEYS oct. 11. 1955 M. w. MORRIS 2,720,055

MECHANISM FOR PACKAGING CHRISTMAS TREES Filed Sept. 2, 1948 4Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

.TTORNEYS United States Patent O M' NIECHANISM FOR PACKAGING CHRISTMASTREES Milo Ward Morris, Seattle, Wash.

Application September 2, 1948, Serial No. 47,456

4 Claims. (Cl. 47--1) My invention relates to mechanism for packagingChristmas trees. More particularly, my invention relates to providing amechanism for the rapid, economical, efficient in-line operationcomprising pressing the branches of freshly cut green Christmas treesand packaging the same within a moisture resistant or wax lined cartonwithout injury to the carton or to the tree, and to the moistureproviding mechanism attached to the butt end of the trees to prevent thedrying out of the tree and to maintain its lire resistant qualities.

A Christmas tree is a perishable product and has an exceedingly,relatively limited season in which the same is to be cut and marketed.After December 25 a Christmas tree is of little or no value. Since it isa part of our natural resources, there must be only so many cut as willbe employed. At the present time great quantities are cut and wasted forfailure of a buyer. Accordingly, this situation presents a real problem.The article has to be bought on sight unseen and it must be so packedthat it will arrive with forest freshness. Particularly must there be nowaste. By means of my invention the cutting proceeds with theaccumulation of` orders so that cutting dates may be established to meetthe required quantity, and this involves proper packaging. By providinga moist atmosphere in the moisture sealed package, the tree limbs arekept in a condition which will not result in their being deformed butwill permit them to be opened up afterbeing compressed for shipment whenthe tree is packaged according to my invention. At the present timetrees are shipped in large quantities and dry out while deformed andthen it is almost impossible to re-form the tree.

Furthermore, my invention relates to in-line production of a Christmastree article including in such production the speedy and rapid methodand means for preparing the butt end of the tree to receive areceptacleparticularly centering of the tree to receive the receptacle.Further, my invention relates to the method and means of supplying thereceptacle for the butt end of the tree with moist medium for packaging,such as peat moss or saw dust, for maintaining a source of moisture forthe tree and moisture laden air for the tree in the carton. Also, myinvention relates to utilizing the resiliency of the compressed limbs ofthe tree to help maintain the receptacle with its moist medium fromsudden shocks during handling and shipment in the carton. This isimportant to keep the can with its wet contents from being worked loosefrom the tree butt, and also to prevent the can from injuring thecarton. Such arrangement is helpful even though other packing materialmay be employed.

To so package an evergreen tree so that it may be shipped severalthousand miles and kept over `a considerable period, for preparation,shipping, selling anduse, and have its freshness and greenness retainedfor not only a few days, that is, but for a period of weeks and evenmonths, presented real challenging problems. Such evergreen trees arewell-known to be subject to early 2,720,055 Patented Oct. 11, 1955 ICCdrying out after cutting and the needles then fall off in the unnaturalenvironment of heated home rooms. Such dried needles even become of anexplosive character when ignited so that a real fire hazard results.Packaging in an economical and efficient manner and yet providingpreserving features for the tree presented special problems requiringtesting under actual conditions to determine whether or not the same wassuccessful.

`A primary object of my invention is to conserve one of our greatnatural resources, namely, our evergreen trees which are suitable forChristmas tree purposes by providing for their packaging in a mannerwhich will ensure their delivery to the users in an undamaged, fresh,green, that is, undried out, condition. Also, to so deliver them thattheir freshness and greenness and natural symmetry of form may bemaintained throughout the period required after cutting, processing,packaging, shipping and a use period even when the product is to be usedin a place several thousand miles distant from that of origin and in arelatively warm climate. Such conservation is not only essential for thetrees, but also the indirect result of avoiding unnecessary soil erosionby avoiding wasteful cutting. Accordingly, there are most compellingfundamental reasons requiring the proper harvesting of the Christmastrees.

Our experimentation shows that a moisture proof carton container serveswell in achieving the purposes of this invention. `However, suchcartons, particularly when waxed, are subject to be injured when thelarger stiff lower branches of the tree are attempted to be compressedand confined in the container, and the tree itself may be deformed inpackaging during such compressing of such limbs and be so injured as torequire its discarding. Also, the upper tender branches of the tree havebeen found during shipment to be subject to injury .unless held inplace. A bunch of decorative greens may be advantageously disposed inthe top branches of the tree before the tree is pulled into the carton.In maintaining the fresh greenness of the needles,I a tree requiresconsiderable moisture and the packaging requires that a source of suchmoisture is important within the carton so that there is a continualever-present source of moisture for the required period. Moreover, suchmoisture is advantageously supplied to the annular cellular structure ofthe tree through the butt end so that adequate compensation may be madefor the evaporation from theV large area presented by the needles. lnaccomplishing all this, over and above the natural and biologicalrequirements and problems, there is the definite and positive limitationas to cost. Such cost must be kept to a minimum if the tree is to besupplied to the real market.

In developing an efcient and economical in-line production certainproblems develop, particularly: (a) As to the method of compressing thelimbs and confining these in a light weight shipping carton withoutinjury to the moisture sealing features of the carton during compressionof the limbs, particularly the lower larger stiff limbs; (b) thecentering of the tree for speedy application of the container forholding the moisture medium,

as peat moss, against the butt of the tree, and the peat moss in turnbeing a means of supplying moisture Without the same being free to spillout of the container; and (c) the method of supplying such peat moss ina speedy and eicient manner to can or container to be secured to thebutt end of the tree.

The means of compressing the limbs may be by a mold over which thecarton is slipped, or it may be by a plurality of rollers annularlydisposed, or it may be by funnel shaped means, or it may be in the formof a hopper shaped limb compressing means to be employed with acontainer having a top opening. Preferably, however,

such means is that of the type of a funnel mold. with an open endedcarton. slippedy thereover.

This invention relates to method and means for carrying out thepackaging of Christmas trees, processed and prepared as an article ofmanufacture, disclosed in my co-pending patent application. Serial No.3954 (Series of 1948).

Av primary object of this invention relatesl to means for processinggreen Christmas trees, preferably freshly cut, to minimize drying out,retain greenness and preserve the. fire resistant. qualities of thetrees, and means for packaging, these trees after they have beenprocessed.

Another object of this invention is to provide production line means bywhich Christmas trees can be rapidly, eiiicientlyv and` economicallyprocessed and packaged; in. such a manner as to best preserve theirgreenness, and? freshnessl and hre-resistant qualities.

Another object is*r to provide a speedy and efiicient method of andmeans for loading* a Christmas tree into a carton. without injury toeither the tree or the carton byI telescoping. the carton over a loadingmold or tube, pulling the tree butt first into; the loading mold or tubeto evenly compress the branches of the tree, and then simultaneouslywithdrawing the. tree and the preformed carton, fromV the loading moldor tube so as to leave the tree in. the carton with its branchescompressed for compactness in shipment, but free to open out to theirnormal position after the. tree has beeny removed from the carton.. Thisavoids; side loading of the cartons and provides a satisfactory andeconomical' methodl of and means for quickly loading the trees endwiseinto tubular cartons of relatively small crossv section.

In accordance with this. invention, each Christmas tree 'rst, has thebutt portion thereof slightly tapered or coned to improve the shape ofthe tree butt (giving it a frusturn of: a cone, shaped butt) and tobetter adapt the tree for taking up moisture as such shaping exposes amultitude of. longitudinally' directed. canals. Thetree is then clampedin. a tree: holdingdevice: and a moisture container is placed on; theconed butt. end portion. thereof. This moisture container is. preferablya tin can having two closed ends, one; of which, namely, the one hereinreferred to as the top.- end, has previously beeny slitted or weakenedso' that the tapered; butt end. portion of the Christmas tree can be.passed through. this: weakened top` endinto the can. Preferably, this.is done4 by pressing the can. over the-y butt emi portion` ofthe. tree'.The can topis slitted inl such a manner as to cause thebutt portion, ofthe tree to be automatically centered in the can. After theA can isapplied to the tree butt the bottomA end ofthe tree: butt is secured tothey bottom end of the can, as by driving; a nail or inserting a screwthrough the bottom end of the can into the. treey but-t. The cany isthen preferably filled with a moisture. carrying material, such as wetpeat moss or saw dust.f The peat moss is preferably ground and thenwet-- ted.. This wet material is preferably supplied to the can byinserting a pointed, tubular member through the top of the can alongsideof the tree and iniecting the wet material through this tubular memberi'nto the can by pressure. When the tubular member is withdrawn, a smallhole is left in the top of the can. After the tree is set up furtherliquid or water canv be introduced into the can= through this hole. Thewet material will not spill out through this hole duringl shipment' andthe slight amount' of evaporation which takes place through this hole ishelpful in maintaining a moisture laden air in the'cartony for theneedles.

In providing the receptacle with a moist medium, such as peat moss orsawdust, experience has proven that in utilizing pneumatic pressuregreat difficulty developed in having the liquid separate from themedium. The devicel of' my invention overcomes such difficulties.

Before the tree is placed in a carton, a bunch of decorative greens ispreferably placed in. the top branches ofthe tree.: to add moisture, tobetter fill upA the upper end portion of the carton, and to. helpprevent movement of the tree in the carton. The tree is then ready to beplaced in a carton and. this is done without injury either tothe cartonor the tree by telescoping the carton over a loading mold or tube,pulling the tree into this loading mold or tube to evenly compress thebranches of the tree and then simultaneously withdrawing the tree andthe carton from the loading mold or tube, leaving the tree in the cartonwith its branches properly lleXed and compressed and held within thecarton. A. collapsible tree stand. is preferably inserted alo-ng oneside of the carton slightly compressing the tree limbs, utilizing theirresiliency to hold the said stand in place. The t-wo ends of the cartonare then closed and sealed and the carton is. ready for shipment.

Experience has taught that Christmas trees as heretofore shipped oftendevelop fermentation. Also, such previous methods of shipment oftenresult in Christmas trees developing a mold. An object of my inventionis to overcome. such destruction of the trees. Actual tests have proved'that a tree packed according to my invention provides for the. treemaintaining its freshness and utility even for as long as five` months,and even. usable as long as. eight months. My invention provides: for sopreserving a Christmas, tree that the same may be shipped to any part ofthe world and arrive at destination forest fresh, fragrant and lasting.

The method of and apparatusA for placing a Christmas tree in compactform in a carton as hereinafter described provides a satisfactorysolution of the problem of getting the. trees into cartons withoutdamaging either the tree or the carton, preferably Wax lined. Thebranches of these trees are relatively stiffA and strong andparticularly the: larger lower branches. are liable to extend almost atright angles to the tree axis, i. e., horizontally from the tree. Withmany trees it is diflicult to manually bend these lower branchesupwardly alongside of the tree axis and their insert the tree in acarton. If these branches are allowed. to bear against the sides of thecarton as the. tree is being. passed endwise into. the carton, theheavier branches ofthe tree arev liable to scrape and damage the carton.Also, if the branches are not compressed in the right way there isapossibility of damaging the branches and. thus disfiguring the: tree.Particularly is this true whenl it; is; done. with speed. In accordancewith my invention, I provide cartons of suitable and proper crossysectional size, length, and shape, with respect to the sizek of thetree.. The cartons. are open at both endsl and I load the. trees intothese cartons by placing a carton over a4 loading mold or tube, pullingthe tree into the loading mold or tubeto properly flex` and compressthe, branches of, the same, and then simultaneously pulling the tree.out of the. loading rnoldl or tubev and the carton off the. loading moldor' tube without subjectingv the car tontoy they initial'. strains ofcompressing and scraping by the; branches: of the tree.. As the cartons'are preferably moistureproofed, as; by waxing, prior to loading tominimize evaporation and. drying out of the tree, itv isi particularlyimportant that damage to the carton be avoided at the time, the tree isput into the carton.

A primary object of'this invention is to provide means: for carrying outthe operations above outlined rapidly, efii'ciently, and economicallyand with a minimum expenditure of time and labor on the part of theoperators.

The above mentioned general objects of my invention, together withothers inherent in the same, are attained bythe process and mechanismillustrated in the following drawings, the same being a preferred'exemplary form of embodiment of my invention, throughout which drawingsi like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a plan view with parts shown in section andv other partsshown by dotted lines of mechanism used for placing in a carton aChristmas tree which has been processed for'shipment', a carton toreceive the tree being shown ona loading-mold or tube, and a tree beingshown in a position it can occupy preparatory to being drawn into theloading mold and carton;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view with parts in elevation taken substantiallyon broken line 2 2 of Fig. 1 with a tree in the mold.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on broken line 33 of Fig.1, and on a larger scale than Fig. 1, showing the loading mold or tubewith a carton thereon;

Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating one advantageous setup and arrangement of mechanism which can be used for processing andpackaging Christmas trees in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of mechanism used for placing a moisture holdingreceptacle on the butt end portion of a Christmas tree;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same, with parts in section showing aChristmas tree and a moisture holding receptacle secured thereto;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view with parts in section looking in thedirection of broken line 7-7 of Fig. 6, the tree being omitted;

Fig. 8 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section looking inthe direction of broken line 8-8 of Fig. 6, the moisture holdingreceptacle being omitted;

Fig. 9 isa view similar to Fig. 7, showing means of modied form forclamping and holding a Christmas tree;

Fig. 10 is an elevation showing a form of Christmas tree holding meanswhich will always center trees on a predetermined axial lineirrespective of variations in the diameters of different trees;

Fig. l1 is a sectional view showing pneumatically operated means forapplying a water holding receptacle to the butt end portion of aChristmas tree;

Fig. l2 is a top plan View of a tin can to serve as a moisture mediumreceptacle showing the manner of cutting and weakening the top end ofsaid tin can along predetermined lines to adapt it for application tothe buttI end portion of a Christmas tree;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation with parts in section of a press used inperforating and weakening tin can tops in the manner shown shown in Fig.12;

Fig. 14 is a view in cross section of a die member taken substantiallyon broken line 14-14 of Fig. 15;

Fig. l5 is a view in diametrical section through said die member showingtwo of the knives thereof in elevation and showing a fragment of amoisture holding receptacle of tin can type positioned in operativerelation below said die member;

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view, with parts shown in elevationand parts shown diagrammatically, illustrating devices for injectingmoisture bearing material into tin cans after they have been placed onthe butt ends of Christmas trees; and

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of a completed carton with treetherein, together with a Christmas tree stand adjacent the butt of thetree and decorative` greens in contact with the upper end portion of thetree. Fig. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of Christmas treepackaging means of modified form showing a Christmas tree in a positionpreparatory to compressing the limbs of the `same and loading said treeinto a carton. Fig. 19 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 18 showingroller arrangement arranged for use in compressing the limbs of aChristmas tree preparatory to loading the tree into a carton.

Fig. 20 is a View in elevation looking in the direction of broken line20-20 of Fig. 19, the tree being omitted. Fig. 21 is a sectionalperspective view showing hopper shaped tree limb compressing device andshowing a carton positioned in said hopper shaped device to receive atree, said carton having a side or top wall which opens like a hingeddoor to receive a Christmas tree which has its limbs compressed bypressing it downwardly through the hopper shaped limb compressingdevice.

Apparatus for carrying out my invention s diagrammatically shown in Fig.4 and comprises, in a general way, the following: Means 20 forfrusto-conically shaping tree butts; means 19 for receiving trees; means21 for slitting the tops of cans; means 18 to receive and hold theslitted cans; means 22 for applying the cans to the tree butts; means 23for injecting moist ,material into the cans; packaging means 24 puttingthe trees into cartons; and means 17 for receiving the cartonscontaining the trees.

The packaging means 24 for putting the trees into the cartons is morefully shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and will now be described.

After the trees have had their butt portions tapered and have had cansplaced thereon and moist material injected into the cans, these treesare preferably placed in a trough shaped cradle 25, Figs. 1 and 2,preparatory to putting the same in a carton. Preferably, the cradle 25is supported on a table 26. A tree loading tube 27 is supported abovethe table 26, preferably adjacent to and in alignment with the cradle25. The loading tube 27 has an expanding or bell shaped forward endportion or mouth 28 positioned adjacent to the cradle 25. The bracketmeans 29 which supports the loading tube 27 is preferably connected withthe mouth portion 28 to thereby leave the major portion of the loadingtube 27 unobstructed so that a tubular carton 30 can be slippedthereover. The loading tube 27 and carton 30 can be of approximatelysquare cross sectional shape, as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, orthey can be of any other desired cross sectional shape. The crosssectional shape of the bell mouth portion 28 preferably corresponds tothe cross sectional shape of the loading mold or tube 27. Preferably thecarton has suitable end aps 31 which can be closed and sealed after thecarton is loaded. Both ends of the carton are necessarily open at thetime of loading. Preferably the loading tube or mold 27 is shorter thanthe shortest carton which will be used in connection therewith. Thecarton is preferably moisture proofed to prevent loss of moisture to theatmosphere after the carton is loaded and sealed. As one method, thiscan be done by coating the inside of the carton with moisture proofmaterial.

The bell shaped mouth 28 of the loading tube 27 functions to evenlycompress and flex the branches of a tree as the tree is moved endwiseinto the loading tube. VThe loading mold or tube 27 holds the larger andstronger branches of the tree compressed and prevents them from rubbingagainst and scratching and injuring the Walls of the carton. When acarton and tree are simultaneously pulled clear of the loading tube 27,the tree branches expand against the carton without damaging or objectionably bulging the same.

A tree 32 can be partly pushed and partly pulled into the loading tube27 and carton 30 manually if desired and the loading mold or tube 27 isthus of great utility in facilitating the manual loading of trees intothe cartons. However, I preferably provide power operated means forpulling the trees into the cartons.

The mold or tube 27 is adapted to meet the problem of packaging trees ofvarying length. The mold 27 can be used as a loading mold or tube fortrees of different length j and which require cartons of differentlength. The mold 27 is long enough to meet the requirements of thelongest carton but does not need to be the full length of the longestcarton because the butt portion of the tree can be pulled a substantialdistance beyond the end of the tube 27 before the lowermost limbs on thetree will be released by the tube. As the carton and tree aresimultaneously withdrawn from the tube 27, the limbs of the tree `willspring out against the walls of the carton but will not scrape the wallsof the carton as the carton and tree are both moving at the same speed.

Figs. 1 and 2 show power operated mechanical means for pulling aChristmas tree, butt first, into the loading 26 said. arm. 35 is securedto a rack bar 38 which. isv

guided for movement in guide means. 3.9. The rack bar 38 is adapted tobe moved longitudinally by a pinion 40 onv a shaft. 41. The. shaft. 41is driven by a motor 42 operating through suitable power transmissionmeans in a housing 43.

Rotation ofthe pinion 4.0- in one direction will project the reach rod33v into the loading. tube 27 and a carton 30 that has. been. telescopedthereon. into a position as shown in Fig.. l.. Rotation of said. piniony40 in the. opposite direction` will retract the reach rod. 33- clear ofthe carton 30 to a-position as shown in Fig. 2.,

Preferably an. operator is positioned near the bell shaped.y

end 28 of. the loadingy tube 27 to engage the hook means 34Y with thetrees. 32 and, preferably this operator controls the movement of thereach rod 33. One means for' providing, this controlv is. to providebeneath the table 26 a control lever 44, fulcrumed on a, pivot 45. Atone end the lever 44. has a. forked member 46 to receive the knee or legof the operator.. The other end portion of the lever 44 isv connected bya. link 47 with means, such as control lever 48, for the transmissionmeans in the housing 43. This transmission means is preferably of a selfneutralizing reversible type so that if the lever 4`4 is released thepinion. 40 will come. to rest; if the lever 44 is moved in, onedirection, the pinion 40 will be rotated so as to move the reach rod 33toward loading tube 27 and' if the lever 44 is moved in the oppositedirection, the pinion 40 will be rotated so as to move the reach rodaway from the loading tube. 27.

Preferably two operators are required to load the Christmas trees intothe cartons, a first operator near the bell shaped end. 28 of theloading, tube and a second op-y erator near the right end of the carton,as respects the showing. in Figs. 1 and 2. To load a tree into a cartonit is necessary to retract the reach rod 33, slip a carton 30 of properlength over the loading tube. 27, project the 1,

reach rod 33 through the carton 30 and tube 27, attach the hook means 34to the butt portion of a tree 32, as. shown in Fig. l', and then movethe reach rod to the right, Figs. 1 and 2, far enough to pull the treevinto the loading tube 27 and carton 30 to a position substantially asshown` in I Fig. 2.. At this pointv movement of theY reach rod 33 isstopped momentarily and the hook, means 34 is disengaged. Next, thereach rod 33 is further retracted to get it out of the way. The secondoperator then grasps the carton. 30 and the butt portion of. the tree 32and pulls the carton 30 and tree 32 clear of the loading tube. Thecarton is then ready to have its end flaps closed and sealed'.v Beforethe tree is drawn into the carton a bunch of green vegetation 49 ispreferably placed in the upper branches of said tree, and before thebottom end of the carton is closed a Christmas tree stand can beinserted therein, all as more fully described in my copending patentapplication hereinbefore identified. After a carton and tree are removedfrom the loading tube 27 the carton with tree therein is passed to asupport or table 17, a Christmas tree stand 172, Fig. 17, is insertedalongside of, the butt of the tree in such a manner as to help preventmovement ofthe tree butt, and the carton is sealed. Variations, ofcourse, in these steps may be made.

The method of and' means for loading thev Christmas trees into cartons,as hereinbefore described', obviates side loading ofthe trees into thc.cartons and makes possible rapid end' loading of these trees intomoisture proofed cartons of minimum cross sectional dimension with aminimum amount of labor and without danger of damage to thel car-.tonsor the; trees..

The means for processing the trees preparatory to. loadingthemintoA thecartons will now be described..

Thel means forA taper cutting. the butt end portions. of. the trees isshown somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 4. Thisl means comprises acutter headl 50- driven by a motor 51 and havingy suitable blades 52.'operable. to cut. a taper 53 on the butt end` portions of the trees 32to give said.

butt end. port-ions a. frust`o-conical shape. The trees 32, after. beingthus taper cut, are passed to an operator. who operates. the treeholding and can appl-ying means. operator clamps the trees, one: at atime, in the tree holding; means and applies a can to the butt portionof each tree, as. hereinafter described. in connection.l with Figs. 5;.to ll inclusive. Such cutting opens longitudinal channels for absorbingliquid.

The can top slitting, means, indicated generally at 21'.

in Fig. 4, together with a can 54,. are shown more. in detail inFigs.12, 13, 14 and l5. The can 54 isa closed. container provided with a cantop and having the usual bottom 56, Fig. 13. Preferably the top 55 ofeach can 54 is provided with a plurality of radial slits. 57, eachextending from the center thereof outwardly for a dis.- tance equal toabout halfA the. diameter of the butt portionl of the smallest tree forwhich the; can is: intended. The

can topA 55 isv further weakened. along lines 58 outwardly" from and inprolongation of the slits 57 to condition said can top for tearing alongthe lines 58. The slitsy 57 and weakened tearing lines 58 formtriangularly' shaped: segments. 59y in: the top of the can. When the topend 55 of a can and the coned end 53 of a tree butt are relativelypressed against each other the tree butt will enter the can and thetriangular segments 59 will be bent inwardly. As these segments 59 bendinwardly they will keep the tree butt centered in the can and willmaintain close contact with the tree butt. This insures minimum leakagespace around the tree butt andrm support of the tree butt by the cantop. 55.

The means for forming the radial slits 57 and weakened tearing lines 58inthe. can top 55 is in the form of a die member 60 having radiallyarranged knives 61. Each knife has an inner edge 62 positioned axiallyof the head and has a cutting edge 63 positioned at an obtuse angle tothe inner ed-ge 62 and extending outwardly therefrom to a point 64. Fromthepoint 64 eachl knife has a sharpened edge 65 extendingl parallel tothe inner edge 62 and toward the die member 60 to a location 66'. Aninclined can top weakening edge 67 which is both toothed like a saw andsharpened like a knife extends outwardly from the loca tion 66 to theouter edge 68 of the knife. The toothed edge 67 is inclined so that, asthe knife moves toward a can, thel part of said edge 67 adjacent thepoint 66 will first engage with the top 55 of a can 54 and the can top55 will be concavely depressed and perforated byv the toothed edge 67.

To make a plurality of clean radial cuts in a can top 55 it has beenfound advantageous to cut toward the center of the can top. Thus thepoints 64 of the knives enter the can top 5S at a distance from thecenter thereof and cut toward the center.

The knives 61 are heldin the die head 60 by triangularly shaped segments69. Screws 70 clamp the segments 6.9 in the. head 60. The head 60, Fig.13, is carried by a longitudinally movable .shank 71. The shank 71 isguided in a frame 72 and is adapted to be moved by a lever 73.Preferably means are provided for limiting the stroke. of the shank 71toward a can 54. The stroke limiting means shown in Fig. 13 comprises abolt 74 secured to the head 60, slid'able in a frame lug 75 and havingadjustable nuts. 76 which. are adaptedA to engage. with a shockabsorbing, washer 77 which rests on the lug 75. The can 54 rests on abase portion of the frame 72 and is positioned by stoppins 78 one. ofwhich is shown in Fig. 13. The pins 78 Thisv 9 are adjustable in aplurality of holes 79 in the frame base to provide for correctlypositioning cans of different sizes.

Referring to Figs. to 9 inclusive, the tree holding and can applyingmeans comprises a base 80 having suitable upright support means 81. TwoV-shaped tree receiving members 82 and 83 are mounted in spaced apartrelation on the upright frame means 81. The V-shaped member 83 has slots84 therein to slidably receive two upright clamps arms 85. Each uprightclamp arm 85 is rigid with a horizontal arm 86. Thus the arms 85 and 86cooperate to form two bell crank shaped tree clamping members. These twobell crank shaped clamping members are pivotally connected with cachother by a pivot 87. An inwardly directed toothed hook 88 is provided onthe upper end portion of each upright clamp arm 85.

Two relatively inclined links 89 have their respective upper endsconnected by two pivots 90 with the horizontal bell crank arms 86 andhave their lower ends connected by a common pivot 91 with another link92. The lower end portion of the link 92 is connected by a pivot 93 witha foot lever 94 which is fulcrumed on the base 80.

The pivot 91, see Fig. 6, is slidable in an upright slot 95 in the frame81 and a compression spring 96 yieldingly urges said pivot member 91upwardly. A tension spring 97 is connected between the pivot 87 and aiiXed support such as the bracket 83 to carry the weight of the two bellcrank members 85 and 86, and to yieldingly urge the pivot 87 upwardly.This holds the bell crank members in a raised and spread apart position,such as the position in which they are shown in Fig. 7.

Downward pressure on the foot pedal 94 will first angularly move theupper end portions of the bell crank arms 85 toward each other. Thiswill position the hooks 88 over the trunk of a tree 32 which rests inthe V-shaped support 83. Further downward movement of pedal 94 will drawthe bell cranks 85--86 and hooks 88 downwardly and securely clamp thetree to the member 83. The upper end portions of the members 85 areoutwardly inclined and said upper end portions will be further movedtoward each other by engagement with the outer end walls of the slots 84as the arm members 85 are moved downward. Thus the bell crank members 85will cooperate with the V-shaped member 83 to always position tree buttsof varying shape and size so that their axes will be in the verticalmedial plane of the apparatus shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. However, theposition of the axes of tree butts of different size will vary asrespects their horizontal planes or up and down positioning, and thiscan be compensated for in the can aligning means as hereinafterexplained.

The means for applying a tin can to the butt end portion of a tree whichis clamped in the tree supporting devices just described comprises a canholder 98 mounted for movement toward and away from the tree butt. Thecan holder 98 is herein shown as cylindrical but its shape may bevaried. The receptacle 98 is secured to two anglebrackets 99, see Figs.5, 6 and 8. The angle brackets 99 are adjustably secured to a plate 100by screws 101 which pass through slots 102 and are threaded into theplate 100. This provides for vertical adjustment of the can holder 98relative to the plate 100. Preferably the screws 102 are adjusted tightenough so that the angle brackets 99 will be held by friction in anyposition to which they are set, but can be vertically adjusted manuallyby movement of a lever 103. The lever 103 is fulcrumed on a pivot member104 which is rigid with the plate 100 and said lever 103 is connected asby slot and pin means 105 and a bracket 106 with the can holderreceptacle 98.

The plate 100 is carried on a bar 107 which is supported forlongitudinal movement in a bearing 108. Rotary movement of the bar 107is prevented by any suitable means, such as a key member 109 rigid withthe bearing 108 and operating in a groove or keyway 110 in 10 the bar107. A lever 111 is connected by a pivot 112 with the bar 107 for movingthe bar 107 longitudinally. An end portion of the lever 111 is connectedby a pivot 113 with an end portion of a link 114 and another end portionof the link 114 is supported on a xed pivot 115.

The ilanges of the angle brackets 99 preferably overlap the rear end ofthe can holder 98 land form stops 116, see Fig. 8, against which therear end of a can may abut. These stops 116 are spaced apart and may bepartially cut away, as shown in Fig. 8, to provide ample space fordriving a nail through the bottom end of a can into the butt end of atree after the can has been telescoped onto the tree butt.

In the use of the tree holding and can applying means an operatorstanding alongside of theA same places a properly prepared tree 32 inthe holding brackets 82 and 83; clamps the same by stepping on the footpedal 94; places a properly prepared can 54 in the receptacle 98 withthe radially slotted end of the can toward the tree butt 53; adjusts thereceptacle 98 vertically to position the axis of the can 54substantially coincident with the axis of the tree; moves the lever 111clockwise as viewed in Fig. 5 to telescope the can over the tree butt;drives a nail through the bottom of the can into the tree butt; movesthe lever 111 counter-clockwise, a viewed in Fig. 5, to withdraw thereceptacle 98 and takes his foot oi of the lever 94 thus allowing theclamping members 85--86 to return to the released position shown in Fig.7.

Fig. 9 shows alternative means for clamping and holding a Christmastree. This means uses a V-shaped support 117 similar to the support 83of Figs. 5, 6, and 7, but omits the two bell crank members and 86 anduses instead a single upright tree holding member 11S having a toothedtree engaging hook 119 on the upper end thereof. The member 118 isslidably supported in a guide member 120 and said member 118 has a camsurface 121 which is positioned to engage with a roller 122. The roller122 is carried by the guide member 120. The lower end portion of themember 118 is pivotally connected with a foot lever 123. Preferably atension spring 124 is used to normally hold the member 118 and footlever 123 in a raised position and another spring 125 is provided tourge the member 118 to the right as respects the showing in Fig. 9 sothat the member 118 will automatically move to the position in which itis shown in said Fig. 9 when the foot leverl 123 is released. When atree is supported in the bracket 117 and the foot lever 123 isdepressed, the member 118 will first be moved toward the tree by theaction of the cam surface 121 and roller 122, and the hook member 119will then be drawn straight down onto the tree to securely clamp thesame.

In the tree holding means shown in Figs. 5 to 9 one of the members whichsupports the butt portion of the tree while the can is being appliedthereto is xed and nonmovable. With such a device it is obvious that theposition of the aXis of trees of different diameter will vary and forthis reason it is necessary to provide means, such as the means shown inFigs. 5, 6 and 8 for adjusting the position of the can 54 before the canis pushed over the butt of the tree.

Fig. l0 shows a tree clamping device which will center trees ofdifferent size to the same axial line and clamp the same irrespective ofdifferences in the diameters of said trees. This is accomplished byproviding at least two tree clamping members which are movablesynchronously toward and away from a common central axis, and which willalways center the tree on the same axial line irrespective of the sizeof the tree. When the tree clamping means shown in Fig. 10 is used., itis not necessary to provide means for adjusting the can receptacle 93 ina direction transverse to the direction of its longitudinal movement.

One tree clamping means which will always centerv trees of dilerent sizeon the same axis is shown in Fig. 10. This device' comprises two treeclamping members 126 and 127, each slidably movable in a bearing 128toward and away from a predetermined. center or axis. 129. Two levers130 are connected as by slot and pin type pivot means, 131 totherespective tree. clamping members 126 and 127. Each lever 130.y isfulcrumed on a pivot 132. The lower end portions of the levers 1301 arerespectivelyy connected by two. links 133. with. a pivot member 134. ofa vertically movable slide 135v which is guided in vertical guide means136. A foot' levery 137 mounted on fulcrum 138 is also connected withthe pivot 134. A spring 13.9 yieldingly urges the foot lever 137upwardly and. in. so doing normally holds. the tree clamping mem.- bers126, and 127 in spread apart position. Downward movement of the footlever 127 will tend to align the toggle links 133l and this will movethe levers. 130 through elqual4 angles thus moving the tree clampingmembers 126 and 127 equal distances toward. the central axis 129. Thiscenters any tree which is placed between the members 126. and 127 on;the axis 129. The axis 129 is positionedl coincident with the axis onwhich a can is supported in the receptacle 98 and when the tree holdingstructure shown in Fig. l is used,l it is not necessary to provide forvertically adjusting the. receptacle 98.

Fig. l1 shows pneumatic means for applying a can to the butt portion ofa tree. This pneumatic means can be used in place of the manuallyoperated means shown in. Figs., and 6., On said Fig. ll the parts 98' to106 inclusive are the. same as those shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 9 and:previously described. The pneumatic means shown in Fig. il forsupporting and moving the can carrying parts comprises a cylinder 141)mounted on a support such as the frame 81 and having therein a piston141 connected with a pistonl rod 142 which is secured to and carries theplate 100. Guide means 143 is provided for the plate 100 to preventrotary movement ofA said plate. A four way valve 144 is connected by twoconduits 145 and 146 with the respective end portions. of the cylinder140. Also the valve 144 has an exhaust port 147 and is connected with aninlet conduit 14S through which air under pressure is supplied to saidvalve. When the rotary member of said valve 144 is in the position shownin Fig. l1, air under pressure will be supplied through conduit 146 toone end portion of the cylinder 140 and the other end portion thereofwill be open to exhaust through the conduit 145. Clockwise movement ofthe rotary member of valve 144 will first close said valve 144 to theflow of air therethrough and. will then reverse theA above describedconnections as respects inlet. of air to and exhaust of air from thecylinder 149. Thus, the can holder 98 which receives. the. can 54 can bereciprocably moved pneumatically in response to operation of the valve144.

After a tree 32v has had a can 54 installed thereon, it is removed fromthe brackets 82 and S3 and passed to; an. operator who injects wet.material into said can. One, way to do this is to thrust through the topof the. can 54 a small pointed tube 149, Fig. 4, which has an outletopening on its pointed end and is connected with any suitable means fromwhich wet material,l such as wet peat moss. or saw dust, can be injectedinto the can.

Fig. l6 shows one device which can be satisfactorily used for fillingcans 54 with wet materialv after the cans have been applied to the buttends of Christmas trees.. This device comprises a cylinder 150 having ataperedl forward end portion 151 provided with a smallI pointed nozzletube 149 which may be projected through the top end portion 55 of a can5.4 on a tree butt and through which wet material 152 may be introducedinto. the can. The nozzle tube is of relatively small diameter and the,characteristics of the wet material 152 are such as to preventobjectionable leakage. of the wet material. The. cylinder 159 has ahopper 153 for wet material communicating therewith through an opening154 and a driven feed screw 155 is. provided in the hopper 153. tov feedthe wetmaterial 152. from the hopper 153v into the. cylinder 150. Apiston 156 is reciprocably disposed in the cylinder 150.- to force wetmaterial out of the nozzletube 149..

A piston4 rod 157 is secured to the piston 156y and extends outwardlythrough the rear end of the cylindery 150. and through a spacer member15S carriedy by the rear end portion of said cylinder 150. A relativelylong compression spring 159 is interposed between. the spacer member 158and a plate 160 on the outer end portion of the piston rod 157 to movethe piston into theV retracted position in which it is shown in Fig.`16. A shorter compression spring 161 is provided on the piston rod 15'7between the spacer member 158 and tvvov nuts; 162 on said piston rod 157to serve as a shock absorb-- ing stop member for the pistonV 156. Thedistance of travel of the piston 156 can be varied by adjusting the.nuts 162.

The piston 156 is moved to the left from the position in whichy it isshown in Fig. 16, by admitting air under pressure to the left end. of'the cylinder 150, through a conduit 163. The inlet and exhaust of airunder pres.- sure to said. cylinder is preferably automaticallycontrolled by the pressing of a can against the nozzle tube 149. Thiscontrol can be attai-ned by the use of a valve 164 showndiagrammatically in Fig. 16. The valve 164 hasv an exhaust port 165 andis connected with a compressed air inlet pipe 166. A solenoid 167 can beprovided to move the valve 164 into a position to establishcommunication between the conduits 163 and 165 when said solenoid isenergized. A spring 168 can be used to move the valve 164 and establishcommunication between the conduit 163 and the exhaust port 165 when thesolenoid 167 is de-energized. A normally open switch 169 in the circuit170 of the solenoid 16.7 is arranged to be closed by pressure of a can54 against a lever 171 when the can. is applied to the nozzle tube 149.

The feed screw can operate continuously and will always keep the portionof the cylinder in front, of the piston 156 filled with wet material.When a can 5.4 on the butt of a tree is jammed against the nozzle tube149 hard enough so that the nozzle tube is caused to perforate the endof the can, said can 54 will strike against the lever 171 and close theswitch 169.. This will energize the solenoid 167 and' move the valve164k to close the exhaust port 16,5 and admit compressed air to thecylinder 15.0 through conduits 166 and 163. Asy the. piston 156 movesto. the right from the retracted` positi'on in which it is shown in Fig.16, it will rst crowd some wet material back up into the hopper 153until said. piston laps and completely closes the opening 154 and willthereafter force the wet material through the nozzle tube 149 into thecan 54. As soon as the piston. 156 reaches the end of its stroke the can54 willv be removed from the nozzle tube 149. This allows nor-1 mallyopen switch 169 to open thus cie-energizing solenoid 167 and allowingthe spring 159 to move the piston 156 back to its starting position. Theconstant rotary movement of the feed screw 155 and' the surging ofmaterial in the hopper 153 due to the operation of the. piston 156 keepsthe wet material in said hopper stirred. up and agitated at all timesand prevents separation of the solids and liquids thereof.

In the tree packaging means shown in Fig. 18, a tree 32; with a moisturereceptacle 54 thereon is adapted to have its limbs compressed by pullingit throughA a funnel shaped member 173'. The member 173 preferably ismounted by a bracket 174 on a table 175. A short neck. portion 176v islprovided on the funnel` shaped member 173' to support one end portion ofa carton 3.0. The, other end portion of the carton 30 can be. supportedby an adjustable bracket 177 which is provided with a. shoulder 178against which, the end of the carton 30 may engage to prevent endwisemovement. of the carton 30 as the tree 32 is. pulled into it... Thebracket. 1'7"] may be, supported andv guided by a lug 179 andl a` bolt13 180 which pass through a longitudinal slot 181 in the table 175.

The tree may be pulled into the carton 30 manually by the use of a pullrod 182 having a hook 183 on one end and a handle 184 on the other end.The funnel shaped member 173 and neck portion 176 will eiectivelycompress the tree branches and will hold these branches until the treeis partly in the carton 30 but there will be some rubbing of thesebranches along the walls of the carton as the tree is pulled thereinto.

The tree packing apparatus shown in Figs. 19 and 20 is similar to thatshown in Fig. 18 except that roller means is used to compress the limbsof the tree. In Figs. 19 and 20 the parts 30, 32, 54, 175 and 177 to 184inclusive are similarto the corresponding parts shown in Fig. 18 `andare similarly numbered. In Figs. 18 and 19 the forward end portion ofthe carton 30 is supported on pins 185 on an upright plate 186 which ismounted on the table 175. The plate has an opening 187 therein throughwhich the tree can pass and said plate has a plurality of rollers 188rotatively mounted on the forward side thereof around the opening 187.The rollers 188 are positioned so that they will engage with andcompress the tree limbs when a tree 32 is pulled toward the carton 30,`Fig. 19. The rollers 188 reduce friction and make it easier to pull thetree into the carton and this saves labor where the tree is pulled intothe carton manually. Fig. 2l shows Christmas tree packaging means whichmay be used to facilitate placing Christmas trees in cartons which areclosed at the ends and have one open side, herein referred to as thetop, This means comprises two tree branch compressing walls 189 and 190which converge toward each other from their top edges downwardly andwhich terminate at their lower portions in parallel spaced apart sidewalls 191 and 192. The parallel side walls 191 and 192 are spaced apartfar enough to receive therebetween a carton cornprising two side walls193 and 194, a bottom wall 195, a top or cover member 196, and two endwalls 197, only one of which is shown.

Movable supporting means is provided for the bottom of the carton sothat the carton can be allowed to drop clear of the packaging mechanismafter a tree has been placed therein. One such movable supporting meansfor the bottom of the carton, as shown in Fig. 21, comprises two gatesor trap doors 198 secured to shafts 199 and movable between the positionshown by full lines and the position shown by broken lines. Torsionsprings 200 may be provided on the shafts 199 to yieldingly hold thegates 198 in the horizontal position shown by full lines. Two levers 201on the respective shafts 199 are connected by links 202 and 203 with afoot lever or pedal 204. Downward movement of the end portion of thefoot pedal 204 shown at the right in Fig. 2l will move the gates 198downwardly into the broken line position and allow a lled carton to dropor be pushed out of the packaging means. Upon release of the foot pedal204 the springs 200 will move and hold the gates 198 up in the cartonsupporting position.

Preferably an offset 205 is provided in the inclined wall 190 so thatthe carton cover 196 will lie ush with or slightly beneath the plane ofthe inner surface of the upper wall portion 190. This will protect thecarton cover and minimize the danger of tree branches catching on theupper edges of the same. In a similar manner an offset portion 206 ispreferably provided at the juncture of the walls 189 and 191 to overhangand protect the top edge portion of the carton on that side of thepackaging device. Usually the carton will be made of cardboard and isilexible enough so that it can easily be pushed down into the positionshown in Fig. 21.

In packaging Christmas trees with the apparatus shown in Fig. 2l, theoperator places a carton in the apparatus `by inserting the carton fromthe top and pushing it down 14 t t into the position shown. He thenplaces a Christmas tree between the convergent walls 189 and 190 andpushes it down into the carton. As the tree is pushed down its branchesare compressed on two sides by the? walls 189 and 190 `and on the topand bottom by the pressure exerted by the operator and the tree isdelivered into the carton without damage to either the tree or thecarton. The carton is then released onto any suitable support, afterwhich the top limbs are pushed downwardly into the carton and the cover1.96 is closed and sealed.

The mode of operation is largely set forth in the mechanical descriptionand in the introductory part of the specication. The mode of operationwhen read in conjunction with the drawings will readily be understood.The method and means for packing a Christmas tree as herein set forthprovides for the same in 'a most economical and eicient manner. Thecompressingtof the limbs and placing of the tree within the cartonprovides for this to be accomplished without injury to the carton, andprovides for utilizing such resiliency of the limbs in maintaining thetree against jars and rough handling in shipping. The can with the wetmaterial in the same is supported withconsiderable resiliency in thecarton by means of the compressed limbs, and this is true even thoughother packing material may be used to assist in supporting the can andin ensuring non-injury of the carton by the can. The water maintains andkeeps the trees in good shape when added to the peat moss. Cutting thebutt of the tree to the form of a frustum of a cone greatly facilitatesthe absorption of the water supplied through the wet medium in thereceptacle. Furthermore, if it is desired, chemicals may be added to thewater previous to the water being added to the peat moss, or saw dust,or like material, to facilitate the water absorption. On the marketthere are standard chemical products employed for keeping cut flowers.These chemicals operate on water absorption aids, and are readilyobtained on the market. A typical one of these products which I haveused at times, is sold under the name of Needle-Kling. Be it noted,however, it is not necessary in my invention to employ such chemicals,the use of the same being only advantageous. The water soaked medium aspeat moss or saw dust in the receptacle secured to the butt end of thetree operates to` give a continued source of moisture to the tree, andthereby keeps the limbs of the tree in a condition which permits them tospring open to their normal forrn when released from the carton, andallows the tree to assume its natural symmetrical condition.Furthermore, the tree would be found to have its aromatic, green andfresh condition which characterizes the growing evergreen tree therebyproviding customers with a natural Christmas tree even though theyreside in a section of the country remote from where such trees grownaturally.

Obviously, changes may be made in the steps of the method of packagingand in the means of packaging the Christmas tree without departing fromthe substance of the invention herein set forth.

I claim:

1. A Christmas tree packaging mechanism comprising a table; a Christmastree having a moisture retaining container mounted on the butt end; aChristmas tree supporting cradle for said Christmas tree mounted uponone end portion of said table; a Christmas tree limb compressing moldmounted on and in spaced relation above said table, said mold having afunnel shaped front end portion adjacent said cradle and a rear endportion in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of said cradle;and a carton having a wax lining sealing and of a form retainingstiffness having an open front and rear end, the front end portion beingfrictionally, slidably, releasably mounted on said mold rearwardly ofsaid funnel, said mold assuming the compressing strains of the stifflower limbs as the tree is pulled butt wise through said mold, and intothe rear end of the carton and then as the stiff lower limbs aregradually radially released from the mold, the rounded portions of thebent limbs engage and press against the waxed walls of the carton in anon-injuring manner and cause the carton to move with the tree inpulling the carton from the mold, said limbs functioning to axially,resiliently and floatingly suspend the moisture retaining container inthe carton while the tree is being shipped in the wax sealed carton.

2. A Christmas tree packaging mechanism comprising a table; a Christmastreey supporting cradle mounted upon one end portion of said table; atree limb compressing mold horizontally as to its longitudinal axismounted on and in spaced relation above said table, said mold having yafunnel shaped front end portion adjacent said cradle and a rear endportion, the vertical plane of the longitudinal axis of which coincidessubstantially with a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis ofsaid cradle; and a carton of a form retaining stiffness having an openfront and rear end, the front end portion only being frictionally,slidably, and releasably mounted on said mold rearwardly of said funnel,and being pulled simultaneously free of said mold by the gradualengagement of the stiif lower tree limbs with the rear walls of thecarton as the pulling on the butt end portion of the4 tree is continuedin drawing the tree to be packaged through the mold.

3. A Christmas tree packaging mechanism comprising a table; a Christmastree supporting means mounted upon one end portion of said table; a treelimb compressing tubular mold mounted by its front end on and in spacedrelation to said table having the major portion of said tube externallyunobstructed, said mold having a funnel shaped front end portionadjacent said supporting means, and a rear end portion in substantialalignment with the longitudinal axis of said supporting means; and acarton of a form retaining stiffness having an open front and rear end,the front end portion being frictionally, slidably, releasably,telescopically mounted on said mold rearwardly of said funnel, saidcarton being pulled free thereof as the tree to be packaged is pulledbutt end first through the mold.

4. A Christmas tree packaging mechanism comprising a table; a Christmastree supporting cradle mounted upon one end portion of said table; atree limb compressing mold horizontal as to its longitudinal axismounted on and in spaced relation above said table, said mold having afunnel shaped front end portion adjacent said cradle and a rear endportion, the vertical plane of the longitudinal axis of which coincidessubstantially with a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis ofsaid cradle; and a carton of a form retaining stiffness having an openfront and rear end, the front end portion being frictionally, slidably,releasably mounted on said mold rear- Wardly of said funnel, and beingpulled simultaneously free of said mold by the gradual engagement of thestii lower tree limbs with the rear wall of Ythe carton as the pullingon the butt end portion of the tree is continued in drawing the tree tobe packaged through the mold in dividing the carton into twocompartments, one rearwardly of said stiff limbs in which the butt isresiliently held with a collapsed mounting stand, and one in front ofsaid stil limbs in which the top is located with greens preventing thetree top from whipping about during shipment.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.14,318 Hayashi June 19, 1917 Re. 22,420 Du Puis Ian. 18, 1944 891,443Ruif June 23, 1908 1,187,120 Young June 13, 1916 1,566,808 Baker Dec.22, 1925 1,600,012 Pollock Sept. 14, 1926 1,615,008 Ferguson Ian. 18,1927 1,664,913 Bewley Apr. 3, 1928 1,734,159 Dolan Nov. 5, 19291,831,176 Holm-Hansen Nov. 10, 1931 1,908,117 Clapp May 9, 19331,955,347 Sherman Apr. 17, 1934 1,964,689 Quillen et a1. June 26, 19342,112,872 Wilson Apr. 5, 1938 2,342,369 Ransbottom Feb. 22, 19442,393,102 Gribner `Tan. 15, 1946 2,444,744

Mossholder July 6, 1948

